Substance-free zones set up as alternative for parade attendees

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:14 p.m.

For the 12th year in a row, a local nonprofit group will block off a safe zone along west Houma's Carnival parade route where you can celebrate without alcohol.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana will set up the “alcohol-free zone” at the Good Earth Transit Depot, 7617 Main St., for every parade that travels down La. 24 from Southland Mall to downtown Houma.

For the third year, the city of Thibodaux, the Lafourche Parish School Board, the Thibodaux mayor's office and the Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will sponsor two Thibodaux areas designated as family-friendly zones during Carnival parades.

No tobacco, alcohol, drugs, guns or vulgar music will be allowed on East Seventh Street, from East Thibodaux Middle School to Thibodaux Elementary, or at Chiasson Park at Jackson and West 10th streets.

Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

“A lot of people like to experience Mardi Gras with their families. A lot of people stay away because they don't want to put up with the behavior associated with drinking,” said Jackie Myers, director of the Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. “There's no drinking, smoking or cussing. We enforce all of that. We would also like to ask that paradegoers who do choose to indulge respect the fact that these are two designated spots.”

The public asked for safe zones, said Alicia Toups, director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana.

“So many people wanted to enjoy the festivities without having to be subjected to the chaos that often ensues with alcohol,” Toups said. “People think it's part of the heritage, that it's an open street party, and that's not the truth.”

South Louisiana Youth (SLY) is a group of local students who entertain kids in the Houma alcohol-free zone while they wait for the parade to pass. The area is manned by Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council employees, law-enforcement and volunteers.

In 2009, SLY approached the Terrebonne Parish Council, asking that a permanent ordinance be passed to make the transit station an official alcohol-free zone during Carnival. It passed, and Houma Police officers and Terrebonne Sheriff's Office deputies partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council to man the perimeters and keep people safe.

But some locals say they don't get the point of the zone because the areas immediately surrounding it are not alcohol-free.

“The zones are marked. So who's to say someone two feet out of the zone or across the street won't be drinking or smoking?” Jessika Bergeron said. “It's a good idea. I just don't see how it's going to be that much better.”

In response, Toups said the area is barricaded, and a barrage of signs indicates to outsiders where the zone starts and stops.

“In the event someone crosses the barricade with a beer in their hand, we ask them to throw it away. Sometimes they debate the issue, but that's what the officers are for,” Toups said. “We beg the courtesy of the public to respect our zone. But I have absolutely no problem asking officers to escort people out and arrest them if they get irate.”

Roughly 500 people usually congregate at the Houma site for parades throughout the entire Mardi Gras season.

Monique Crochet, city of Thibodaux spokeswoman, said she didn't know the exact number of people from previous years who used the Thibodaux sites, but about 100 people used the Chiasson Park site at a parade last weekend.

The patrons in alcohol-free zones in both parishes usually include older people, people with disabilities, families with children and people in drug or alcohol abuse recovery.

“We're not there to tell anyone not to drink,” Toups said. “We're there to offer them an alternative.”

To volunteer at the Houma site, call 879-2273. To volunteer at either site in Thibodaux, call 448-5852.

Staff Writer Kris Johnson

can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter

<p>For the 12th year in a row, a local nonprofit group will block off a safe zone along west Houma's Carnival parade route where you can celebrate without alcohol.</p><p>The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana will set up the “alcohol-free zone” at the Good Earth Transit Depot, 7617 Main St., for every parade that travels down La. 24 from Southland Mall to downtown Houma.</p><p>For the third year, the city of Thibodaux, the Lafourche Parish School Board, the Thibodaux mayor's office and the Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will sponsor two Thibodaux areas designated as family-friendly zones during Carnival parades. </p><p>No tobacco, alcohol, drugs, guns or vulgar music will be allowed on East Seventh Street, from East Thibodaux Middle School to Thibodaux Elementary, or at Chiasson Park at Jackson and West 10th streets.</p><p>Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.</p><p>“A lot of people like to experience Mardi Gras with their families. A lot of people stay away because they don't want to put up with the behavior associated with drinking,” said Jackie Myers, director of the Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. “There's no drinking, smoking or cussing. We enforce all of that. We would also like to ask that paradegoers who do choose to indulge respect the fact that these are two designated spots.” </p><p>The public asked for safe zones, said Alicia Toups, director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana.</p><p>“So many people wanted to enjoy the festivities without having to be subjected to the chaos that often ensues with alcohol,” Toups said. “People think it's part of the heritage, that it's an open street party, and that's not the truth.”</p><p>South Louisiana Youth (SLY) is a group of local students who entertain kids in the Houma alcohol-free zone while they wait for the parade to pass. The area is manned by Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council employees, law-enforcement and volunteers. </p><p>In 2009, SLY approached the Terrebonne Parish Council, asking that a permanent ordinance be passed to make the transit station an official alcohol-free zone during Carnival. It passed, and Houma Police officers and Terrebonne Sheriff's Office deputies partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council to man the perimeters and keep people safe. </p><p>But some locals say they don't get the point of the zone because the areas immediately surrounding it are not alcohol-free. </p><p>“The zones are marked. So who's to say someone two feet out of the zone or across the street won't be drinking or smoking?” Jessika Bergeron said. “It's a good idea. I just don't see how it's going to be that much better.” </p><p>In response, Toups said the area is barricaded, and a barrage of signs indicates to outsiders where the zone starts and stops. </p><p>“In the event someone crosses the barricade with a beer in their hand, we ask them to throw it away. Sometimes they debate the issue, but that's what the officers are for,” Toups said. “We beg the courtesy of the public to respect our zone. But I have absolutely no problem asking officers to escort people out and arrest them if they get irate.” </p><p>Roughly 500 people usually congregate at the Houma site for parades throughout the entire Mardi Gras season. </p><p>Monique Crochet, city of Thibodaux spokeswoman, said she didn't know the exact number of people from previous years who used the Thibodaux sites, but about 100 people used the Chiasson Park site at a parade last weekend. </p><p>The patrons in alcohol-free zones in both parishes usually include older people, people with disabilities, families with children and people in drug or alcohol abuse recovery. </p><p>“We're not there to tell anyone not to drink,” Toups said. “We're there to offer them an alternative.”</p><p>To volunteer at the Houma site, call 879-2273. To volunteer at either site in Thibodaux, call 448-5852. </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson </p><p>can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter </p><p>@krisLjo.</p>